Excelsior! Book Review Summary

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Excelsior!

Stan Lee, with artist Jack Kirby, created a host of Marvel Comics' leading superheroes during the company's "Golden Age." The pair created The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, The Mighty Thor, and many others. With artist Steve Ditko, he invented The Amazing Spider-Man and Dr. Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts. In his able hands, first as a writer, then as the editor-in-chief, and finally as the publisher, Marvel Comics became the leader in the industry, surpassing even Detective Comics (DC) in sales. Stan recounts how, in the early days, he was on the verge of quitting the company because his artistic vision was being thwarted. His wife convinced him to stay with the company long enough to write a comic the way he wanted, come what may. He did, giving human characteristics and failings to characters that had been before the same predictable sort of one-dimensional, cardboard characters that every comic book depicted. He gave his characters worries, problems, fears, hopes, beliefs, faults, failings, and passions along with their bright costumes and superpowers. Readers responded, snapping up the comics as soon as they were printed, and Stan remained at Marvel for many decades to come. In fact, he remains active in certain aspects of the company today, after having officially "retired." Stan Lee's autobiography offers an engrossing look inside the comic book industry of which he has been such integral part for so many years.

The review of this Book prepared by Gary Pullman

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Plot & Themes

Subject of Biography

Setting

United States - Yes
The US: - Northeast

Writing Style

Book makes you feel? - encouraged
- like laughing
If this is a kid's book: - Age 16-Adult
Pictures/Illustrations? - A lot 11-15 B&W
How much dialogue in bio? - significantly more descript than dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 51%-75% of book